ABSTRACT
Introduction: The atrauamatic restorative technique or approach has achieved considerable
interest worldwide. Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) controls active carious
lesions and helps in preventing further progression of the disease. Aim of the study:
To evaluate and compare the efficacy of conventional glass ionomer cement (Fuji IX)
and silver diamine fluoride in arresting active dentin carious lesions in primary molars
through clinical evaluation. Materials and Methods: Sixty primary molars, with active
dentin carious lesion (scores 4 or 5) according to ICDAS II in 25 children (4-7
years) were included in the present study. All selected teeth were treated with modified
atraumatic restorative technique (ART). The treated teeth were divided into two groups
according to the restorative material: Group 1 was restored with Fuji IX while Group II
was restored with SDF and Fuji IX. The treated teeth were evaluated clinically for specific
parameters and followed- up for 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Results: When compared
to Group II regarding all the tested clinical criteria (spontaneous pain, mobility, sensitivity
to percussion and sinus or swelling); there was a statistically significant decrease
in success rate within both group I (P-value <0.001, effect size = 0.367) and group II
(P-value <0.001, effect size = 0.187). According to Kaplan-Meier survival analysis,
the mean survival time for Group I was 9.9 months and for Group II was 11.2 months.
There was no statistically significant difference between the survival of the two materials
within the time frame of the present study (P-value = 0.170). Conclusion: It could
be concluded that 38% SDF offers an easy and efficient alternative treatment for early
childhood caries in young children in comparison to traditional restorative procedures
with better longevity, treatment outcome and prognosis.